By frederick on March 20, 2009
The headlines in the news the past six months would make most people believe the world is coming to an end. Our president figured that out this week by doing a 180 and speaking positively about the economy. After talking down the economy for two years on the campaign trail, during his time as president-elect, [...]
Posted in Real Estate
By frederick on March 10, 2009
Perhaps you have noticed the economy is struggling in 2009. That unemployment nationally is at a 25 year high of 8.1%. Did you notice the largest spending bill in history was passed in the form of a stimulus package? That trillions of dollars have been injected into financial markets since September 2008? That the proposed [...]
Posted in Buying
By frederick on February 24, 2009
There were encouraging signs for the Springfield housing market the week following Valentines Day. Local Realtors posted 94 sales pending for the best week of the year by far. The burst in activity pushed the sales pending for the year a dozen ahead of the same time frame in 2008. The real barometer however is [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By frederick on February 19, 2009
Do you remember the movie, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World? This past week Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Collins, Snowe, Schumer, and Specter starred in the 2009 version. The ending to this latest episode is no laughing matter for the American people. The three Republicans delivered every pet project the left has wanted the past [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By frederick on February 10, 2009
In 2008 the Bush administration implemented a $7,500 tax credit for first time home buyers. Although well intentioned the proposal has had little impact upon home sales in Springfield Illinois, and probably across the nation. Why? The money had to be paid back, and was limited to only first time buyers of homes. The reason [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By frederick on January 27, 2009
Consumer confidence may be rebounding a bit with the inauguration of Obama, and the impending conviction of governor Blagojevich. Hope on the national front that Obama’s recovery plan will work, and new leadership in Illinois raises optimism. Consumer confidence is key to any rebound in the housing market, however the factors are numerous that affect [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By frederick on January 13, 2009
Member brokers of the Capital Area Association of Realtors MLS report the first significant slowdown in home sales since 1994. Following four consecutive years of home sales exceeding the 4000 plateau, and primed for a cyclical slowdown, the economy forced the issue. The year 2008 will be remembered for unprecedented government intervention into the private [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By frederick on November 22, 2008
In my opinion the news this week is telling us the attitude of the American consumer, and it’s not good. Reported today in the SJR Marketplace section (11-15-08) is that retail sales fell by the largest amount on record. What grabbed my attention was the decline was greater than the decline following the attacks of [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By frederick on October 31, 2008
Time to get serious about choosing our next president with the election a mere twelve days away. Who are you voting for and why? In my opinion the housing market will be impacted by the plans of who is elected. Based upon their campaign pledges, here is what to expect. McCain promises not to raise [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By frederick on October 14, 2008
As you know a massive government bailout was passed with the goal of saving the economy. The Oct. 4, 2008 front page headlines in the SJR “Bailout is coming, but will it work?” Good question. In my opinion the headline should have been “Bailout coming, was it necessary?” The bailout represents much more than the [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
